This article is on the heretical teaching of dispensationalism. Now I understand that there are those who feel that the word heresy may be a little strong for those who believe in dispensationalism, yet I assure you that after this article you can come to understand why I feel that such a teaching is heretical.
Many people in Christianity do not understand the teaching of dispensation and that due to their ignorance they feel that not knowing or being part of a church that teaches such and not knowing makes them safe. This folks is nothing less than an illusion and a safe house to make such a people secure in their ignorance and acceptance of a church that teaches such. Since many people who belong to certain churches do not belong to them because of what they teach but rather because of the people and the sense of community. That is why people remain in Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah Witness and other churches. That is why people will still go to a church that teaches the rapture, particular judgement, dispensationalism, prosperity gospel and calvinism, even knowing such is wrong, yet will remain due to the people. This is wrong and this is a problem.
The fact is people do not care about doctrine anymore and for me as a Pastor and Teacher of the Word of God am not surprised, Christ foretold it. So you as a reader must make a decision also. So let us get to the subject matter.
What is dispensationalism? Here is the definition fond in Wiki-Pedia:
Dispensationalism is an evangelical, futurist, Biblical interpretation that understands God to have related to human beings in different ways under different Biblical covenants in a series of "dispensations," or periods in history.
As a system, dispensationalism is expounded in the writings of John Nelson Darby (1800–82) and the Plymouth Brethren movement,[1]:10 and propagated through works such as Cyrus Scofield's Scofield Reference Bible. The theology of dispensationalism consists of a distinctive eschatological end times perspective, as all dispensationalists hold to premillennialism and most hold to a pretribulation rapture. Dispensationalists believe that the nation of Israel is distinct from the Christian Church,[2]:322 and that God has yet to fulfill his promises to national Israel. These promises include the land promises, which in the future world to come result in a millennial kingdom and Third Temple where Christ, upon his return, will rule the world from Jerusalem[3] for a thousand years. In other areas of theology, dispensationalists hold to a wide range of beliefs within the evangelical and fundamentalist spectrum
There is a lot of things wrong with such a teaching and yet so many churches throughout the world teach this false doctrine. Note that this was not taught by the Early Church. This teaching began as late as 1800's. How can a teaching that is less than 200 years old find its way in 80% of churches in America? It is just amazing and yet so many people are taught this.
So what makes this teaching heretical? Well, the eschatology of this doctrine or any doctrine is not the main problem here. While it is a problem it is not THEE problem. Many people can assume what is going to happen at the end but it does not make them a heretic. The problem with this doctrine is the issue of the "Nation of Israel is distinct from the Christian Church." and I would like to add, EQUAL.
People like John Hagee and others have taken dispensationalism to the extreme. Even some claiming that the Jews do not need Jesus Christ to be saved. That the Jews are the people of God. That Jews are our brothers and that Rabbi's are our teachers. While I love all people including the Jewish people I believe that such teachings are false.
Dispensationalist believe that God has 2 covenants. One with the Church and the other with Israel. That these two covenants are currently in operation and they are both honored by God presently. They believe that the Church is the people of God and that the Jews are the people of God. That God works with these two entities in two separate ways. This is where the problem occurs.
The Bible makes it very clear that when Christ came to the earth and died on the cross something happened. Not only were our sins washed away but the way Christ saw the earth and people became different. Everything that God had spoken to the prophets was being fulfilled in Christ life, death, burial and resurrection. These include but not limited to the prophesies given to Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Jeremiah, Isaiah and more.
Further, it is very clear that in the bible the prophesies being fulfilled was explained in Romans 2 (A Jew is one who has been circumcised inwardly.), Romans 10 (Jews who do not have faith in Christ have missed righteousness), Romans 11 (Those who did not believe in Christ have been Broken off), Book of Hebrews (There is a NEW COVENANT and the old has been done away with) (The Only Sacrifice is that in Christ). Ephesians (There is only 1 body and that is in Christ) (The wall that made 2 -Jew and Gentile has been removed and now there is one new man, those in Christ) Galatians (Those who have faith in Christ are the children of Abraham) and much much more.
Those who believe in dispensationalism take everything that God has done and said on the matter and unwind it and undo the work of the cross. For me to believe that God still deals with the Jews and the Church differently is heresy. That the Jews are saved because of their covenant with God is heresy. That God still seeks and desire an earthly Israel Nation is preposterous. When Christ came to the earth He made it very clear, my Kingdom is not of this world. Why now after he was crucified, buried and resurrected should we assume otherwise? The work of the cross can not be undone and believing otherwise takes what God has said and teaches otherwise.
Some may ask, How do I know if I belong to a Church that teaches dispensationalism? Here are some clues.
1) The pre-trib rapture doctrine, also a James Darby Doctrine, is taught in the church.
2) There is an Israeli flag in the Sanctuary.
3) The church believes that supporting Israeli they also will be blessed.
4) They use a lot of Old Testament to explain the Nation of Israel and its role now.
5) They call Rabbi's and Jews, brothers or teachers of God's word.
It is important to point that while I do not believe in dispensationalism, I do believe that God will and has a work among the Jewish people. This work is no different than that among any other people. God is patient wanting no one to perish. It is also very important to note, that I do not believe that the Jews killed Jesus, Jesus laid down His life and the only blame for Jesus's death is our sins. So in no way am I antisemitic.
What I believe is in Covenant Theology. That the Law and the Call of the Jewish Nation was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. That a Jew and Israel is not an earthly but a Spiritual people. That while there is an earthly nation that has a role in history, it is not as the dispensationalist believe. That there is only ONE covenant which is in Christ Jesus only. There is no Jew or Gentile
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
There are a lot more resources out there that if included in this post will only be redundant. Please take time to view the following for further study:
Romans 2, 10 & 11
Ephesians 2
Book of Hebrews
Galatians 3 & 4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_theology
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Bishop Michael Salman
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